Omusati farmers reel from 'heartbreaking' elephant raids

Farmers in the Omusati region say elephant raids have wiped out crops that could have fed their families for a year, while compensation claims remain unresolved.

"It is heartbreaking to think that my field was overgrown and green, filled with hopes for a good harvest, only to have everything wiped away in a single night,” Omusati farmer Andreas Shikongo told Namibian Sun.

He said more than 20 elephants completely destroyed his roughly two-hectare field earlier this year.

“I could have had a bountiful harvest, filling my silos to feed my family for the entire year," he lamented.

The elephants destroyed crops of pearl millet (Omahangu) as well as beans, maize and sorghum, he said.

"Now, I am uncertain about how we will survive. I need to be compensated to see how I can utilise that funding to sustain my family,” Shikongo said.

Many farmers say they are still waiting for compensation from the environment ministry for crops lost due to elephants earlier this year.

Shikongo told Namibian Sun that shortly after the loss of his crops, officials from the environment ministry visited his farm to take photographs, but it was only in early June that they contacted him to request his details. He claims that he is still waiting for feedback.

He stressed the urgency of the situation, fearing that the elephants will return and cause further distress to his family. He noted that, fortunately, the animals have not harmed anyone but have wreaked havoc on property and crops.

Empty stores

Maria Amukwaya, a community leader in Ongandjera, said at least 50 members of the community sustained crop losses, which has led to growing anxiety among residents.

“We live in fear as elephants destroy our fences and damage crops, affecting at least 51 individuals," she said.

"It is terrifying to face herds of 40 to 50 elephants; a fence offers no real protection. We urge the ministry to review their policies and provide compensation for destroyed fences, as they are expensive to replace,” Amukwaya said.

Under current ministry policies, assistance is only offered to farmers whose fields have sustained damage of 0.25 hectares or more.

“We have been waiting too long for a response from the ministry. As victims, we have sent emails, but the situation only worsens. We need an immediate reply,” Amukwaya said.

Amukwaya voiced her frustration, noting that farmers with smaller plots may suffer total losses if their crops are affected.

Even if their fields were smaller than the regulations allow, they are left without food, she said.

She suggested that all cases should be assessed and compensated.

Ministry assistance

Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula acknowledged the farmers' concerns and clarified that payments would be made in accordance with existing regulations.

He explained that the ministry offers offset amounts to victims of human-wildlife conflict in accordance with the policy and the self-reliance scheme.

“If our regional officials have conducted this assessment and a claim has indeed been made, we simply need the farmer’s details to trace the case on our end and verify the status of the claim,” Hangula clarified.

Hangula said the ministry does not provide outright compensation but rather an offset amount to assist victims in restoring or replacing what has been lost.

“Therefore, compensation should not be included in the terminology associated with this process, as it creates misunderstandings and raises false expectations,” he stressed.